Vol 21 No 23-24          6 May 2016

Habitat for Humanity Lesotho 2016

On Friday 18 March a group of 20 nervous but highly excited High School pupils gathered at Dublin airport ready for the trip of a lifetime that would take them to Lesotho. 

All Ireland Hockey Champions 

At Friday's assembly Craig Fulton Ireland Men’s Olympic hockey coach came to the school to present medals to The High School minor hockey team, who are the new All Ireland Champions.   

Form 2 Ski Trip

On the 2 April, 53 High School pupils flew out from Dublin airport to Nice airport, for the annual Form 2 ski trip. We arrived at Hotel Marguareis in Artesina, Italy at after a 3 hour bus journey. Over the next 4 days, we skied at the resort, divided into the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced groups. 

Comóradh 1916
- a Pupil's Story

My great-grandfather, George Ward, was a member of the Irish Volunteers 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade in 1916. During Easter week he served in the Four Courts garrison under Commandant Ned Daly. He kept a diary during the week which tells of the events and fighting that he was involved in. 

Croke Park Visit

On Wednesday 6 April Transition Year classes and six Irish teachers went on a trip to Croke Park stadium to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising. We had a tour of the stadium itself and were fortunate enough to go on the skyline tour, a walkway along the roof of the stadium.

Summer Concert

The Music Department is pleased to announce that the annual summer concert will take place on Wednesday 18 May at 8.00 pm in The Reynolds Hall.  The concert will feature performances from soloists, groups, choir, and orchestra.  We look forward to seeing parents, siblings, and pupils attend.  

National EYP Success

Aela O'Flynn and James Kinsella  took part in the European Youth Parliament national session held in Cork recently. Both qualified from the Dublin regional session. The session consisted of one day of team building, two days of committee, and a General Assembly on the final day. Congratulations to both pupils for taking part and especially to Aela who qualified for the upcoming international sessions in Norway and Switzerland.

International Olympiad   

Congratulations to Katie O'Connor who was selected for the Irish team of four for the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). Katie went through a long selection process and many weeks of training to make it onto this team for the second year in a row which is a significant achievement. This year's event is took place in Busteni in Romania and the Irish team were more successful than in any previous year.  Well done, Katie.  

Rugby Visits

It has been a busy month for rugby at The High School, with games against touring teams from Germany and South Africa.  There was also great excitement when over 150 eager primary school children from the area dropped by to participate in our Spring Tag Rugby Camp.  It was another great success. Well done to all the organisers.  

1916 High School Stories

As part of The High School's 1916 commemorations, Transition Year Construction Studies pupils and their teacher Mr L Middleton have designed and created a poignant 3D art piece which is now on display at the 1916 Sackville Street Art Project at the Botanic Gardens. Two High School past pupils, both of whom worked at Guinness's Brewery, are counted among the 1916 civilian casualties. 

Construction Studies Success

Congratulations to all of the Construction Studies pupils who have finally completed their Leaving Certificate projects after many months of hard work.  From tables to folding chairs, speaker-cases to chessboards, the design and 
carpentry skills at our school are certainly most impressive.  As you can see, all that endeavour has been well worth it: the results speak for themselves.

Gymnastics Video

Senior Rugby Video

Mock Interviews Success

Form 5 recently participated in mock interviews for a range of courses and professions.  In preparation, pupils compiled a Curriculum Vitae and Personal Statement outlining information about themselves.  The process was particularly valuable as it gave pupils an opportunity to see what a real interview could be like.  Thanks to the Parents' Association for providing a positive experience and to the Guidance Counsellors for helping us to prepare for the event.

Spring Clean Day

Following on the recent success of 'Water Week',  the Green Schools committee met after school on Wednesday last, for the annual Spring clean. Thank you to all who gave up their free time to make our school a tidier, brighter place.  

National Swimming Success

Congratulations to Thomasin McKenna who has qualified to compete at the Irish
Age Group Swimming 
Championships 
(the national champion-
ships) which will be held 
at the end of July at the 
National Aquatic Centre.  
We wish our pupil every 
success in this and future competitions.

NCAD Success

Congratulations to the 6th Form pupils who have been offered a place at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) on the strength of their portfolio work.  This year all of the applicants to who applied to NCAD were offered a place.  Well done everyone.  

Athletics Success

Congratulations to our pupils who recently participated in the East Leinsters.  It was a very successful competition and we want to thank all of the athletes and their coaches for the hours of training and dedication that they put it.  Well done everyone.  

Parents' Association News

Congratulations to the winners of this term's Pupil Achievement Award: Robert McLaughlin, for his charity work at an orphanage in Ethiopia;  Jacob Kennedy, who has been accepted into the IYGO (Irish Guitar Orchestra); and the Minor Boys Hockey Team, who won the John Waring Tournament.   The winners will devide the prize of €500 between them.

The Parents' Association has just launched a pilot "Parent Notice Board" where we hope to make available non commercial items that you believe are of interest to both parents and friends of the High School. Please click here. Should you have an interesting article or a useful internet site you wish to share with parents through this notice board, please get in touch with the association. 

Dates for your Diary

• 7 May - Scholarship examination 9.30 am
• 9 May - Sports Day - school closes 3.55 pm
• 12 May - Form 4 rock-pop show 2.35 pm (Form 4 pupils only)
• 19 May - Form 4 award ceremony - 2.35 pm
• 20 May - The High School Parents' Association end-of-term event 6.00 pm

• 30 May - Form 4 annual excursion - postponed
• 30 May - Forms 1, 2, and 5 examinations commence
• 31 May - Staff meeting, 2.15 pm

Save The Date 
The “Summer Sizzler" takes place on Friday 20  May from 6pm till late.  The Parents' Association 'End of Year Bumper BBQ and Teacher/Parent Cricket Match' will be a magical affair.  

 We will also enjoy an interactive experience with award winning illusionist Shane Black.Once again, pig-on-a-spit, liquid refreshments, awesome auction lots and music till late. Tickets coming soon from the Parents' Association!